Environmentalism, non governamental organizations and the search for sustainability in tourism

Abstract

This article discusses the concepts of participation and sustainability implemented by NGOs that are involved in tourism activities, its practices in Brazil and the history of this debate. The article addresses the influence of environmental NGOs towards the sustainability (or not) of tourism and social conflicts arising from their activities in the localities where they work. The text derives from a doctoral thesis and uses the thesis' conclusions, drawn from the data collected from nine NGOs studied (semi-structured interviews, direct observation of activities, bibliographic and documental sources). The article assumes that environmentalism, through various NGOs, invests in the dialogue and in joint efforts involving differentiated actors, strongly influencing therefore the local debate on social and environmental sustainability. This influence can generate new inequalities, disputes and regional conflicts, as well as new degrees of participation, empowerment and reflection of the involved social actors.